Topology of Covert Conflict

Abstract

This is a short talk on topology of covert conflict, comprising joint work I’ve been doing with Ross Anderson. The background of this work is the following. We consider a conflict, and there are parties to the conflict. There is communication going on that can be abstracted as a network of nodes (parties) and links (social ties between the nodes). We contend that once you’ve got a conflict and you’ve got enough parties to it, these guys start communicating as a result of the conflict. They form connections, that influences the conflict, and the dynamics of the conflict in turn feeds the connectivity of the unfolding network.

Modern conflicts often turn on connectivity: consider, for instance, anything from the American army’s attack on the Taleban in Afghanistan, and elsewhere, or medics who are trying to battle a disease, like Aids, or anything else. All of these turn on, making strategic decisions about which nodes to go after in the network. For instance, you could consider that a good first place to give condoms out and start any Aids programme, would be with prostitutes.